May 7, 2018 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Kelly Holstine, an English teacher at Tokata Learning Center in Shakopee, about being selected as the 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
May 29, 2018 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles Patrick’s Cabaret, a local Minneapolis creative venue that is closing its doors. Since 1986, Patrick’s Cabaret has provided a space for artists to develop new work. The queer-led organization has focused on supporting emerging artists of diverse backgrounds and artists whose work didn’t fit into more traditional molds. Now, with the institution closing, there is concern at what’s being lost and why.
May 29, 2018 - MPR’s Catharine Richert reports on the growing popularity of fencing among Muslim girls.
June 12, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports on efforts by 1st District Congressman Tim Walz to refocus his gubernatorial campaign. Walz spent much of this year as the DFL favorite for governor, had the most money, topped a precinct caucus straw poll, and honed a message toward winning back moderate voters who have fallen away from the party. Then came a state convention that turned out poorly for Walz, and a new entrant in the race who threatens to cut into his primary election base.
July 12, 2018 - MPR’s Briana Bierschbach reports on the Pink Pistols, an LGBT gun rights group with chapters in dozens of cities across the nation. It's been around in Minnesota for nearly two decades, hosting meetings at the gun range roughly once a month.
July 25, 2018 - On this program of MPR News at 11, host Kerri Miller talks with DFL candidate Tim Walz. As governor, DFL candidate Tim Walz said he would support legalizing recreational marijuana, raising the gas tax to pay for transportation projects, and would help bridge the urban and rural divide in the state. Other topics in conversation include gun control, Polymet and Twin Metals copper nickel mining, refugees, and pipeline.
August 14, 2018 - MPR’s Dan Kraker reports on unprecedented algae bloom along the South Shore of Lake Superior. Researchers are trying to figure out the cause. They suspect the bloom may be related to recent historic heavy rains and flooding that washed tons of sediment into the lake. Researchers expect to see more periodic algae blooms in Lake Superior, in part because of that increased water temperature, an effect of climate change.
August 15, 2018 - Why do women continue to get paid less? And does the lack of investment translate into fewer opportunities for development and sponsorship? MPR’s Kerri Miller interviews Gigi Marvin, three-time Olympic forward for the U.S. Women's National hockey team; and Mary Jo Kane, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota about the gender pay gap within sports.
August 16, 2018 - All Thing’s Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Congressman Tim Walz the day after his win in the DFL gubernatorial primary. Walz defeated Attorney General Lori Swanson and State Representative Erin Murphy, with 42% of the vote.
August 28, 2018 - MPR’s Tim Nelson takes a look at Monty's Traveling Reptile Show, a Nelson Street landmark on the Minnesota State Fair grounds and longtime favorite for many fairgoers. But it's different this year. As of last April, there's no more Monty. Nelson shares a story about the passing of the torch…or maybe the heat lamp…at the fair.